My husband and I were friends for many, many years (this coming year will be 12 years) before we were romantically involved. But over those years we have always talked about the same two things: hockey and food. So it’s always a surprise to me when he mentions that he loves a food that I never knew he loved. Case in point: Italian Wedding Soup.
So I immediately went to Amazon Prime Fresh (my obsession) and ordered all the ingredients for it and the next day I was making meatballs and then soup. A big heads up with my meatballs…they make a large batch. Large batch. I did that so that my hubby could have meatball sandwiches as well as some with pasta. If you don’t want that many then do your best to half the recipe. The recipe also calls for 30 meatballs…I may have added a few more. 🙂
As with pretty much everything I make for him he thought it was really good which made me happy as it’s not something I make all that often…clearly since we have never had it since being together. But soup season is fully upon us I should warn you that you just might see a few more in the future.
The hubs got a Sous-vide machine for Christmas so I am looking forward to him making me something in return.
Italian Wedding Soup
For the Meatballs:
1 cup unseasoned bread crumbs
¾ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 eggs, beaten
2 T. dried Italian seasoning
1 T. garlic, minced
1 T. kosher salt
1/2 T. ground black pepper
Pinch nutmeg
2 lb. ground chuck
For the Soup:
Sweat in 2 T. Olive Oil:
1 cup yellow onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup carrot, diced
1 cup ham, diced
1 T. garlic, minced
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 t. dried Italian Seasoning
1 t. crushed red pepper flakes
1 bay leaf
30 uncooked marble-sized meatballs (recipe above)
1 can (15 oz.) white beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups whole spinach leaves
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
For the meatballs:
Stir together all ingredients (except the ground meat) in a mixing bowl.
Add the ground chuck and mix together thoroughly with a fork. Using a portioning scoop, shape the meat mixture into balls (about marble sized).
You will have a TON left over, this is on purpose. Make larger meatballs with the remaining meat mixture to make sandwiches or meatballs for pasta.
For the soup:
Sweat vegetables, ham, and garlic for soup, in oil in a stockpot over medium heat until softened.
Add chicken broth and seasonings; simmer 15–20 minutes.
Drop meatballs into simmering soup and cook until they float to the top, 3–4 minutes.
Stir in beans, spinach, and parsley. Cook just until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
Combine eggs and Parmesan with a whisk. Off heat, stir egg mixture into soup.
Adapted from Cuisine at Home Magazine
Alice says
I immediately looked up Amazon Fresh and found my address is not eligible. 😯
The soup looks delicious and I love the idea of making extra meatballs!
Peabody says
@Alice-that is a bummer. I love it. It used to be free to Amazon Prime members here in Seattle (it cost everywhere else). I thought I could go without it. That lasted a month. My Christmas gift was the extended to Fresh. It’s well worth it to me. And they always pick quality stuff and if you don’t think it’s quality they refund you.
Roxana says
This Italian wedding soup looks incredible, I only wish I had a bowl in front of me right now!
ovbal says
This is great recipe!! Thanks for sharing with us!
Susannah says
PLEASE post about the sous-vide adventures here because I also got one for Christmas and have absolutely no clue where to start with it.
Linda Robinson says
Thanks for the post. I can relate, after 30 years of marriage I found out that my husbands favourite dessert is Boston Cream pie.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
The only Italian wedding soup I’ve ever made was actually Joanne Bruno’s veggie version which was actually one of my favorite recipes I made all year! But the meat lover in me needs to try this now. Also, I can relate because I’ve known my boyfriend since I was 15 (so 15 years now) but we’ve only been together for 3ish (I think? I’m terrible) and he too sometimes springs something on me that I didn’t already know. Keeping the magic alive I suppose!
Michele says
Looks yummy! Will try soon!
Tiffany Porter says
Wonderful soup on a cold cloudy day! Or any day for that matter:) A little too much red pepper flakes for me(not a deal killer) but my husband loved it. I did cheat and bought Whole Foods Italian Meatballs and remade them into tiny ones.
Peabody says
@Tiffany- yeah, I don’t usually put that much red pepper flakes either…but my husband loves it that way
Michael says
Where’s the pasta lol. Italian wedding soup my favorite as well has pasta. Tried yours excellent
Sylvia says
It was a total hit in my house. Great with a slice of Italian bread for dipping into the broth. 👍🏻
Peabody says
Glad to hear it.